Feminist and social movements challenge El Salvador’s total abortion ban

On 25 November 2016, over 500 hundred people marched through the streets of San Salvador to commemorate the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and to demand an end to all violence against women. Women-only drum crews pounded out a festive rhythm as participants from social movement organisations convened by the country’s feminist movement, including unions and labour groups, the LGBTQ community, health care workers, agricultural cooperatives, and environmentalists, all took to the streets.

A principal demand of the marchers was a call for El Salvador’s Legislative Assembly to ease the country’s total ban on abortion. While the feminist struggle for full reproductive rights is nothing new in El Salvador, organising efforts over the past few years have gained momentum, found new openings, and are pushing forward the fight for women’s health, safety, and bodily autonomy.